Born and raised in New Orleans, Oliver attended public schools, graduating from JS Clark High School. Mr. Thomas is a graduate of the College of Santa Fe, NM and completed Harvard's Executive Program for community leaders and attended the Aspen Institute.

Mr. Thomas worked in International travel for International Weekends Charter Travel Agency in Boston and New York. Oliver began his political career in New Orleans as Legislative Aide and public policy analyst for Jim Singleton. He was the Project Manager for the Downtown Development District â€“ DDD. Mr. Thomas was Resident Advisor HUD CJ Brown HANO. He was first elected as Councilman for District B in 1994 serving two terms before being elected to an at large seat in 2002 where he served as Council President until 2007.

Mr Thomas is an Actor, Writer, Producer and Poet. He led, co-wrote and acted in the hit play Reflections. Oliver was lead actor in Harold Ellis Clark's Fishers of Men, an actor in Nijla Mumins Movie Deluge. Mr. Thomas is the host of WBOK The Good Morning Show, Owner of Otoutreach LLC, and a Public Policy Consultant.